Industry Veteran Al Bunetta Dead at 72

Talent manager and Oh Boy Records chief Al Bunetta died Sunday (March 22) at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. He was 72.

Chiefly known for managing the careers of John Prine and the late Steve Goodman, Bunetta began his show business career as road manager of the Young Rascals.

From there, he moved into booking, where he worked with such clients as Bette Midler, Al Green, George Carlin and the Manhattan Transfer.

He was a booking agent when he made his initial connection with Prine, with whom he subsequently founded Oh Boy Records. He also worked with Kris Kristofferson (whom he credited with discovering Prine), Todd Snider, Shawn Camp, Dan Reeder and Slick Ballinger, among others.

In 1986, Bunetta won a Grammy for best contemporary folk recording for co-producing the album, Tribute to Steve Goodman.